Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

Where should chest thrusts be performed on an infant?

1. Center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum

2. Just below the collarbone

3. At the upper part of the abdomen

4. Near the rib cage

The correct answer is: Center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum

Chest thrusts for an infant are performed at the center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum. This location is crucial because it is where the greatest force can be applied effectively to create the necessary pressure to expel an object from the airway during a choking incident. Infants have more elastic ribs and a softer chest wall compared to adults, making the lower half of the sternum the safest and most effective point for performing chest thrusts. This technique helps to avoid potential injury to the heart or lungs, which are positioned beneath the sternum. Other options do not provide the same level of effectiveness or pose risks. For instance, performing chest thrusts just below the collarbone could lead to ineffective force application and might cause injury due to the proximity to the clavicle and surrounding structures. Thrusts at the upper part of the abdomen can compress the stomach area rather than the chest cavity, which is not the goal when trying to relieve choking. Lastly, thrusts near the rib cage could risk damaging the ribs or associated organs without delivering the intended force to clear the airway. Thus, the correct placement for chest thrusts on an infant is indeed at the center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum, ensuring